Max Verstappen tops rain-hit final practice for Spanish Grand Prix
Philip Duncan, PA F1 Correspondent, Barcelona
Max Verstappen finished fastest in a rain-hit final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen completed his speediest time in the early minutes before it started drizzling at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.
The double world champion finished two tenths clear of Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton third, four tenths back.
🏁 END OF FP3 🏁
TOP 10
Verstappen
Perez
Hamilton
Sainz
Alonso
Russell
Leclerc
Bottas
Tsunoda
Norris#SpanishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/8HfJgxLoe8— Formula 1 (@F1) June 3, 2023
Hamilton completed only eight laps as he elected not to run in the slippery conditions, despite the chance qualifying – which takes place at 4pm local time (3pm Irish time) – could also be disrupted by showers.
Behind Hamilton, Carlos Sainz finished fourth for Ferrari, one place ahead of his compatriot Fernando Alonso in his Aston Martin. George Russell finished sixth for Mercedes.
The one-hour running was suspended for nine minutes after Logan Sargeant crashed out.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
Sargeant into the barriers on the final corner. He radios that he is ok #SpanishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/d58YvCcfFX— Formula 1 (@F1) June 3, 2023
Sargeant lost control of his Williams through the high-speed final corner, before sliding into the gravel and grazing the wall.
Verstappen will head into qualifying having finished fastest in all three sessions as he bids to extend his 39-point championship lead over team-mate Perez.
